Wellington, June 20: New Zealand has ramped up its preparations to combat potential bird flu infections following the detection of the H5N1 virus in a wild seabird in Western Australia. A senior official confirmed this development on Saturday.
According to the Xinhua news agency, Biosecurity and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hogard stated that various government departments have intensified their monitoring and readiness efforts.
Hogard remarked, “This strain of H5N1 bird flu is spreading globally, but New Zealand’s geographical isolation has provided us with safety and ample time for preparation.”
Australia confirmed the presence of the H5N1 2.3.4.4B strain in a migratory seabird in Western Australia. Additionally, there are concerns about possible infection in a nearby giant petrel. However, no incidents of infection or mass bird deaths have been reported on poultry farms so far.
Hogard emphasized, “We are continuously monitoring the situation and are in contact with Australian authorities.”
He warned that New Zealand cannot completely prevent the virus from entering through wild birds. If it establishes itself within the native bird population, eradication would be extremely challenging.
The minister urged farmers, backyard poultry keepers, and the general public to enhance biosecurity measures and report any sightings of sick or dead birds immediately. He reassured that there is currently no threat to food safety, and the risk to human health remains low.
This marks the first confirmed case of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain on the Australian mainland. Since 2020, the virus has spread to various parts of the world, resulting in the deaths of millions of birds and other animals.
On Thursday, another bird, a giant petrel, was found in poor condition in a nearby area and has been placed under precautionary quarantine.
The Australian government had previously allocated AUD 113 million (approximately USD 79.2 million) to prepare for a potential outbreak of H5N1.
Threatened Species Commissioner Fiona Fraser noted that it will soon become clear whether this virus has permanently established itself in any bird population in Australia.
Notably, Australia was the only continent where the H5N1 bird flu strain had not been confirmed until now. The virus can spread rapidly between poultry and wild birds, although human cases remain relatively rare.
Last October, H5N1 bird flu was detected in Australia’s remote Heard and McDonald Islands, located in the southern Indian Ocean.
–
Leave a Comment